Capt. Elizabeth B. Myhre turned over command of Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River (NHC), comprised of NHC Patuxent River and three branch health clinics, to Capt. James C. Young during a change of command ceremony Oct. 28.

Over 250 staff, family, friends and guests attended the time-honored Navy tradition at the William A. Moffett Building, presided over by Rear Adm. Kenneth Iverson, commander, Navy Medicine East (NME).

"Captain Myhre, it's clear from your list of accomplishments that you have empowered and encouraged your staff of almost 400 military and civilian people as commanding officer," said Iverson. "As a direct result, Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River is not only a preferred choice for patients to receive care, but also the preferred choice for its staff to work."

Iverson presented Myhre with the Legion of Merit on behalf of Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service.

"For the Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River team, I will miss the friendships I have developed here," said Myhre. "I would challenge each and every one of you to set goals, and every day strive to make this command better than it was the day before."

During Myhre's tour at NHC Patuxent River, she guided her team through National Committee of Quality Assurance Level 3 recognition for all its Medical Home Port Team, The Joint Commission reaccreditation, and a Medical Inspector General inspection -- all illustrating the command's dedication to rigorous national standards of health care safety and quality patient care.

Providing unprecedented support to the warfighter, Myhre established a military medicine clinic, incorporating all active-duty physical examinations into one clinical space, increasing overall readiness to 89.7 percent, the third highest in NME.

During her two-year tenure, Myhre reduced purchase care cost per enrolled patient by 25 percent, reduced network urgent care use by 43 percent, improved RelayHealth enrollment by 50 percent, and reduced emergency room use for non-emergent care.

Myhre also established new programs including civilian awards, a monthly brown bag lunch with civilians, and monthly diversity events. Her efforts resulted in a deliberate change of communication openness from 71 to 91 percent.

Myhre, a native of Newport, Rhode Island, was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps in 1987. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Clemson University, a Master of Science in nursing from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of Armed Forces. She is a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a Fellow of the National Association of Pediatric Nurses and Practitioners. Myhre took leadership of NHC Patuxent River, September 2014.

Young, NCH Patuxent River's oncoming commanding officer, previously served as executive officer of Naval Hospital Lemoore, California. A native of Montgomery, West Virginia, Young graduated magna cum laude from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and biology, and received his doctorate from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, and completed residencies in family medicine and aerospace medicine.

Young acknowledged the exceptionally-high standard set by Myhre. "'Skipper' Myhre has brought this crew together and made them a team; I hope I can take this crew a little further down the course you have set," said Young.

In 1998, Naval Hospital Patuxent River (NHPR) was converted to an ambulatory facility becoming NHC Patuxent River with the additions of Branch Health Clinics Indian Head, Dahlgren, and Naval Air Facility on Joint Base Andrews in 2009. Today, NHC Patuxent River provides high-quality care to more than 14,000 patients. Visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/paxriver/Pages/index.html/ for more information.

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